Switching to formula

As most of you know I am back at work now and expressing during the day so that Abby is still having EBM during the day. However I cannot see myself being able to keep this up in Sept when school will be much busier.

What I am wondering is how much milk a 9-12 month old will need during the day? I will still feed her in the morning and evening. Also I've read that a few of your babies have vomited after taking formula for the first time. Do you think this might be an issue and if so should I try her on it earlier? The thing is that although I believe method of feeding is very much an individual's choice I would prefer that Abby didn't have any formula if at all possible.

Hey hon from 6 months a baby should be having between 500 and 600 ml a day of milk, but so that is one feed in the morning, one last thing at night and a small one in the afternoon maybe, she can have cows milk on her ceral for breakfast, so count that too, but not to drink, so she may only be having 350 - 400 ml of fourmula milk a day, issy took to formula easily, but drinks slowly so never drinks her feed in one go! She was never sick after having her forumula milk, but i did have to switch from bf to forumul when she was quite young. x

As JL has already said between 6mths and a year they tend to need around 500-600ml of milk (based on formula), thats 20oz+. The good side is that some of this can come from dairy like yogurts/milk in cooking/cheese. Personally I'm hoping I'm down to just 2 bottles by 1 yr, if that. I've only cut out the final bf just over a week ago and he's already having less as the formula fills him up more so I've cut out the mid-morning bottle, If he's really hungry I'll just give him 4 or 5oz. At the moment Ciaran's getting through about 22oz (inc the formula in his cereal) and he's 6.5 months. I sometimes give him a yogurt, or if he's having a dessert that has milk in it I'm happy to give him an oz or 2 less - it just depends how he is and how much food he's had.

Hey Helen, I did try Lily on a bottle of formula for the first time the other day and she did throw it up an hour later (was only about 2oz) - but it was follow-on milk, so I'm going to try something gentler in the week to see how she takes to that. Will keep you posted.

As you know I too am going back in Sept and I'm anticipating that Lily will have a bf morning and evening and then one bottle in the afternoon (possibly one between breakfast & lunch too, but even now she's not seeming too hungry for this feed).

As you say, I just don't think I'm going to be able to keep up with expressing come Sept and as she'll still have a bf morning and evening I think it just makes practical sense for her to have a bottle of formula at the childminder's/nursery.

It makes me a bit sad to be dropping the daytime bfs, but I think I'm going to start giving her a bottle more often during the day starting this week, so that come Sept she's used to it (both used to drinking from something other than a boob, and digestively).

like the other say about 20oz which is just 3 bottles. my formula tin says that at 6 months they should take about 8oz per bottle but lily will only take just under 7oz.

i think i've only expressed for as long as i have as lily was only 16 weeks when i went back to work. been feeling low this weekend as i feel its all catching up on me. lily too is waking any time from 4am! i'm hoping solids begin to help soon.

Work's ok actually. I am quite tired but that's part of it really. I would say that I'm very busy but seeing as I'm at work right now that would be a bit of a white lie - actually I have loads to do but can't be bothered!

I felt quite miserable yesterday as I had a meeting after school and got back at 5:45pm. I then just got to cuddle, feed and bath Abby before she fell asleep in my arms at 6:45. I even tried to rouse her to drink a little more and spend another 5 mins with me but to no avail. 1 hour isn't enough!!! :cry: How am I going to cope with parents' evenings - I won't see her at all on those days.

Looking forward to the summer hols - 2 weeks and 4 days for me but I am doing work experience visits next week so am hoping to squash them into 3 days and spend some time at home. :\)

Glad to hear there aren't any issues but sad for you that you're not spending as much time as you'd like to with your gorgeous LO. You need to have another soon and go on mat leave again!

Just to let you know I tried Lily on Hipp Organic formula after her afternoon nap today (normal, not follow-on) and she was fine - drank 3oz (not a lot but she's never been one for big/long feeds) and seemed perfectly happy.

Glad all is well at work. I feel like you...i feel that the people who look after lily get the best bits and then i have a few hrs when she's grotty and getting tired and then its bed. Hence why i liked getting her up at 10pm for another feed.

I guess we are lucky as we get sch hols and i love my job but do count down every week until another holiday arrives.

Are you back fulltime?

PTB..i'll have to look at that feed. I'm still on the lactose free at mo which is free so making the most of that. Glad she's taking it well x